alexmwhite

[alexmwhite]

Each year five short documentary films are nominated for an Academy Award, but only a limited number of Americans ever get the opportunity to view them.

In independent or art house theatres, they may play for a few weeks. Mainstream theatres owned by corporations like AMC do not program them...

[alexmwhite]

This time last year, @tijerasverdes went under the knife for a left lower lobe sleeve resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection. The surgery removed a tennis ball-sized tumor and saved Lauren's life. To Dr. Liu, Dr. Grogan, our entire medical team at Vanderbilt, our Hope Lodge family, and all of our coworkers, friends, family, and loved ones: we'll never forget the love and support you showed us during our darkest time. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

[alexmwhite]

I'm really relieved to know that a human-caused climate crisis is nothing but a hoax, and that's it's all a liberal conspiracy based on speculative theories, contrived data and totally unproven modeling predictions. On a side note*, between 2002 and 2010, conservative billionaires donated nearly $120m to more than 100 anti-climate groups casting doubt on the science behind climate change. #denialisnotjustariverinegypt #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #conservative #conservativelogic #republican #republicans #republicanparty #ignorance #ignorant #heat #heatwave #summer #summer2013 #summertime #summerweather

[alexmwhite]

Dear America, I know you're not perfect, but neither am I. You've made a lot of regrettable mistakes, but I'm guilty of that as well. You've come a long way, but you can do so much better, and I can too. Still, no matter how upset or angry or frustrated I get with you, I love you with all my heart and I wouldn't want to be a citizen of any other nation. I am so grateful for this beautiful, messy, imperfect country; I won't give up on you and I won't stop trying to make you better. Love, Alex (at The Wharf)

[alexmwhite]

More film stills - 

[alexmwhite]

The first meal back at home. It's not the structure by itself, but the loving friends & neighbors that make a home. #waldocanyonfire Taken on 06/30/2012 (Taken with Instagram at Ute Valley Park Pinon Park Trailhead)

[alexmwhite]

First time back to the house I never thought I'd see again after the #WaldoCanyonFire. Grateful to still have a home, and my heart goes out to all those who lost theirs. To the evacuees who lost everything, you remain in my thought & prayers. As one of our close family friends said, "this trail of being homeless and possessionless is foreign and devastating." Take on 06/29/2012 (Taken with Instagram at Piñon Valley Park)

[alexmwhite]

Summary

Karin & Bear's evacuation was lifted. They have returned home: no fire damage, but we have been robbed & vandalized.

Tony & Patti are safe at home.

Latest Stats - Acres burned: 17,073 / Containment: 45%. Homes Lost: 347. Fatalities: 2.

I will return to New York tomorrow, July 1 @ 4pm.

Details

All of my parents have returned home safely. While our neighbors had burns on their roof and there were ashes in our yard, the neighborhood remained intact and standing. Karin's home did not receive any fire damage. However during the four days we were evacuated, our house was one of the 22 homes burglarized by shameful opportunists. The house was broken into, vandalized, and the burglars walked away with around $1k worth of property. If you want to know the details, you can read the front-page article here: WALDO CANYON FIRE: Thieves trash homes, break into cars

After initially feeling angry and violated for a few minutes, it quickly shifted to thankfulness: I was standing in the home I never thought I would see again: that's something to be grateful for. And in the final analysis, for every one despicable act, there are a thousand more acts of love & compassion seen throughout this community. I have some truly heartwarming stories & photos to share. Hopefully I can send them out tomorrow for a final recap.

Thank you for your support.

With love, 

Alex

[alexmwhite]

Day 6. 25% contained. #waldocanyonfire #wildfire #sky (Taken with Instagram at Holmes Middle School)

[alexmwhite]

CAPS (Community Advancing Public Safety) Volunteer Leaders Morning Briefing. Jean Kraus, the Director of the Office of Volunteer Services, is a mix of saint & rock star.

[alexmwhite]

SUMMARY

My mom Karin & Bear remain under mandatory evacuation. Their house remains standing.

My dad Tony & Patti are not under evacuation and are able to be at home. Their house remains standing.

President Obama has declared Colorado Springs a "Federal Disaster Area", and the Waldo Canyon Fire is officially the state's worst-ever wildfire.

Latest Stats - Size: 16,750 acres. Percent Contained: 15%. Homes Lost: 347. People Evacuate: 32,000+ Fatalities: 1

I will return to New York on Sunday, July 1 @ 4pm.

Details

We will not be able to return to the Bourke house until 90% of the active fire perimeter has been contained within one square mile of Ute Valley for one burn cycle. This burn cycle is the result of the interaction of several factors that influence fire behavior, namely, temperature, relative humidity and fuel moisture. While wildfires don't actually sleep, typically they do exhibit a cycle of higher activity during the day and then "rest", that is, exhibit less intense activity when the sun goes down.

In addition to waiting for the burn cycle, we will remain under mandatory evacuation until the firefighters have physically checked the ashes for heat, burned trees have fallen down, and the power has been restored to the grid in our area. Again, for reference: numerous houses in the area on the left with the red arrow burned down. Our house is the marker on the right with the green arrow. The distance between them is 0.579 miles - a little over 1k yards away. Given the abrupt, erratic, and unpredictable nature of wildfires (100 ft flames moving 14mph or faster), it's simply just isn't safe to go home yet. 

If you want to help:

Donate to the Waldo Canyon Firefighter Fund

Donate to the Red Cross

Pikes Peak United Way: Give, Advocate, Volunteer

Donate to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation

Many of my childhood friends have lost their homes, families I have known for over twenty years since we attended kindergarten together at Chipeta Elementary School. They are left with nothing more than what they could scramble into the back of their vehicles as the firestorm approached on Tuesday. Please send prayers & loving energy their way as they start the recovery process: the Andersons, the Clarksons, the Nethertons, the Ahmads, the Froehlichs, the Kerkows, the McConnells, and all of their neighbors who have lost their homes.

I have never been prouder to be a Coloradan. The way my home town's community has come together has shown people's true colors, and it's heartwarming.

[alexmwhite]

Thank Our Firefighters!

I have been volunteering with CAPS at the Waldo Canyon Fire ICP (Incident Command Post - basically like firefighter headquarters). 

For those who want to express their appreciation and gratitude to the firefighters, due to federal safety regulations, any food or water donations will be redirected to Care & Share. However, we can accept any and all thank you cards & posters, esp. posters that can be hung up around the post as firefighters depart and return from their shifts.

The U.S. Forest Service also encourages donations be send to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, whose main focus is to help families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist injured firefighters and their families.  We honor and acknowledge past, present, and future members of the wildland firefighting community, and partner with private and interagency organizations to bring recognition to wildland firefighters.  

[alexmwhite]

Care & Share Donations for Waldo Canyon Fire Evacuees

Visit this link to find out what the Care & Share Food Bank is requesting the following items for the Waldo Canyon Fire efforts, in order of importance: visit here

Care and Share, located on 2605 Preamble Point, is accepting non-perishable food items and water. Drop of times are:

Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 7am-6pm

Sunday, July 1: 12pm-7pm

Monday and Tuesday: 7am-6pm

Care and  Share is the PRIMARY donation location. Please do not attempt to go to any command posts or fire locations. Your donations will be best utilized at Care and Share (they are partnering with the Red Cross and other agencies). At this point, Care and Share's volunteer positions are full.

Goodwill is accepting material donations and assisting those who have been evacuated with vouchers: http://www.discovermygoodwill.org/

All Colorado Springs Walgreens locations are also accepting donations for Care and Share.

Due to the high amount of traffic and volume at Care & Share, people can drop off Food Donations & Supplies at all 5 Louie's Pizza Locations. 2771 Briargate Blvd., 4815 Barnes Rd., 5996 Stetson Hills Blvd., 1146 E. Fillmore, 333 N. Tejon

[alexmwhite]

Remain under mandatory evacuation

My mom & Bear's house remain under mandatory evacuation, however the active fire perimeter has remained west of Centennial and does not appear to have spread since Tuesday night. Close friends and buddies I've known since kindergarten (over 20 years) have lost their homes in Mountain Shadows. My heart goes to each and every friend & family member who's lost their home. Even if our communication has been sparse since graduation, please know I love you and want to be here for you the best I can.

[alexmwhite]

A city news release said residents in these neighborhoods can return home starting at 8 p.m.: • Southeast area of Rockrimmon including Golden Hills and Tamarron subdivisions (southeast of Woodmen Rd./Rockrimmon Blvd. to S. Rockrimmon) • Pine Cliff • Kissing Camels (East of 30th street from Gateway Road to Garden of the Gods Road) • Holland Park • Pleasant Valley • The apartment complex at Garden of the Gods Road and 30th Street All other areas remain under mandatory evacuation orders: • Cedar Heights • West of 30th Street from Gateway Road to Centennial • Pinon Valley • Mountain Shadows • Peregrine • Rockrimmon (northwest of Woodmen Road/Rockrimmon Blvd. and Vindicator)

http://m.gazette.com/news/fear-140944-safe-fire.html

[alexmwhite]

Kid-drawn thank yous make me emotional. #waldocanyonfire #thankyoufirefighters #supportthefirefighters #firefighters #gratitude #appreciation (Taken with Instagram at Holmes Middle School)

[alexmwhite]

"Thank you for risking your lives and being true heroes." To all of the heroic firefighters who are saving our lives, homes, and this entire city. #waldocanyonfire #firefighters (Taken with Instagram at Holmes Middle School)